MANILA, Philippines - Two weeks before his term ends as the US Ambassador to the Philippines, Philip Goldberg reiterates the strong friendship between the Philippines and United States for the past 70 years.

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He first earned Duterte’s ire after he made a statement against Duterte’s “rape joke” of the Australian missionary who was slain in Davao City in 1989. That statement was made during the height of Duterte’s campaign for the presidency.

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It has been a common courtesy of the Philippine government to recognize all the outgoing foreign ambassadors assigned in the country through an "Order of Sikatuna", a meritorious award consistently given to envoys who gave their exceptional services to the Republic of the Philippines by strengthening the relations of their respective countries with the Filipino people.

Nevertheless, this prestigious moment has not been announced to Goldberg since the timing of his departure coincides with President Duterte’s state visits to Brunei, China and Japan.

In this Dec. 8, 2014 photo, State Department official Sung Kim addresses international media in Tokyo, Japan. Kim served as special representative for North Korea policy. State Dept./William Ng/ReleasedMANILA, Philippines — President Barack Obama on Thursday announced his intent to nominate a new ambassador to the Philippines to replace Ambassador Philip Goldberg.

In a statement released by the White House listing new names in key administration posts, Obama nominated senior diplomat Sung Kim, who served as special representative for North Korea policy since 2014, to serve as his representative in the Philippines. Kim's nomination still has to be confirmed by the US Senate.

"I am pleased to announce that these experienced and committed individuals have decided to serve our country. I look forward to working with them," Obama said.

Kim was the ambassador to South Korea from 2011 to 2014, after he worked as special envoy for the Six Party Talks from 2008 to 2011.

Prior to becoming ambassador and a State department official, Kim, a career diplomat, was the political-military chief at the US Embassy in Seoul from 2002 to 2006.

The nominee to be the U.S. ambassador to the Philippines said Wednesday that he will work closely with Manila to help the Southeast Asian ally reduce tensions in the South China Sea and better monitor the waters off their shores.

Amb. Sung Kim made the remark during his Senate confirmation hearing as tensions have spiked between the U.S. and China in the wake of an international tribunal's ruling that rejected China's territorial claims to most of the South China Sea in a victory for the Philippines and other countries locked in maritime disputes with Beijing.

China immediately rejected the ruling, saying it does not accept or recognize it.

"If confirmed, I will work with Philippine President (Rodrigo) Duterte and his new administration to ensure our security cooperation remains strong and effective," Kim told the hearing. "This includes supporting Philippine efforts to peacefully reduce tensions in the South China Sea and help the Philippine Armed Forces better monitor the seas off their shores."

Kim also said the U.S. commitment to defend the Philippines is "ironclad and unwavering."

In this Aug. 17, 2016 photo, President Rodrigo Duterte chats with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua at the 115th anniversary of the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame. PPD/Toto LozanoMANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte claimed on Sunday that a Chinese official has suggested that he align himself with China because the Philippines cannot expect anything from the United States.

ANKARA - U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Friday that Washington intended to keep its alliance commitments to the Philippines, even after President Rodrigo Duterte announced his "separation" from the United States.

Asked about Duterte's declaration that he had realigned with China, Carter said: "We have important alliance commitments which we intend to keep in the Philippines.

"Obviously any relationship is one of mutuality and we will continue to discuss that with our Philippine counterparts," he told reporters before landing in Turkey. "That's not new today, but that's our alliance relationship with the Philippines."

The United States government will seek an explanation from the Philippines for Duterte's announcement of a "separation" from Washington, the State Department said on Thursday, calling the remarks baffling and at odds with the two countries' close relationship.

MANILA - The incoming United States ambassador to the Philippines, Sung Y. Kim, faces a huge challenge given the hostile rhetoric of President Duterte toward America, but his entry into the picture could help cool the temperature and ease anxieties over the feared fallout from those remarks, Sen. Richard Gordon said Friday.

And, if the credentials of the American diplomat of Korean descent were the basis for assessing how he will fare in Duterte country, there's much to commend Sung Y. Kim in terms of knowledge, crisis management and diplomatic patience and savvy in thriving in difficult climes.

Kim was serving as Special Representative for North Korea Policy and concurrent Deputy Assistant Secretary for Korea when he was nominated in May this year to be ambassador to Manila, to replace Philip Goldberg who was ending his tour of duty.

If confirmed, Kim will be the first diplomat of Asian heritage to serve as American ambassador to Manila, the US' ex-colony, former host of its largest bases outside the mainland, and partner in a 65-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty.

Sung Kim was once ambassador to South Korea and, in his job as special envoy on North Korean policy, has acquired experience in engaging the legendary colorful leaders at Pyongyang and their grim adventures in threatening the West and their neighbors.

Senator Gordon, who was the first chairman of the post-bases management of the sprawling Subic naval base, lamented how "the communication lines, the trust, appear to have been broken" going into the last few months of outgoing Ambassador Goldberg, who had presided over a robust period in US-Philippine relations – during which Washington provided quick logistical help after super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), and a UN court ruled in Manila's favor in its case against Beijing in the South China Sea.

Such robust ties took a backseat, it appears, after Goldberg became target of Duterte's ire when the Davao City mayor was campaigning for the May 9 presidential elections.

Goldberg was quoted among those who reacted after a video went viral showing Duterte in one caucus talking about his standoff with Davao prison inmates who held hostage an Australian missionary. Duterte explained later he meant no disrespect to women or the missionary, but was bashed by critics for his remarks. He later lashed out at Goldberg for commenting on what he considered a "malicious spin" by rival camps, even though the US diplomat's remarks were also just couched in general terms about the need to respect women.

"So now, we have a new ambassador; let's hope he won't get into a diplomatic mess," Gordon said in a telephone interview with InterAksyon.

Gordon was earlier reported as having advised some US embassy officials to weigh more carefully – and be sensitive to the unspoken words – the comments of Duterte in Beijing, where he signalled a pivot toward China and a veering away from traditional ally America.

'Fresh start'

Senator Gordon expressed hope that incoming ambassador Sung Y. Kim could signal a "fresh start" as he begins his tour of duty in Manila. Goldberg ends his tour next week.

In an interview in 2013 with The Politic.org, Sung Kim was asked what he deemed the greatest challenges of working in the Foreign Service.

His reply: "While some issues and bilateral relationships may be easier than others, there's no such thing as drive-through diplomacy. Negotiations, in particular, can be protracted, even painful processes.

"Often there seems to be a correlation between the level of difficulty and the importance of any issue. For instance, the way forward on the North Korean nuclear issue may one of our greatest diplomatic challenges, but it is vital that we continue our efforts given what is at stake. The importance of ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the Asia-Pacific region cannot be overstated."

There will be no cutting of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and the United States, President Rodrigo Duterte said in Davao City on Saturday after midnight.

In a news conference upon his arrival from a four-day state visit in Beijing, Duterte said his declaration of an economic and military split with the US was about no longer following the superpower's supposed dictates rather than a severance of relationships.

"It's not severance of ties. When you say severance of ties, you cut diplomatic relations. I cannot do that," Duterte said.

Duterte said cutting diplomatic ties with the US would not be according to the interest of Filipinos, citing the millions of Filipinos and Americans "of Filipino ancestry in the US."

"What I mean was a separation of foreign policy... In the past we always follow what the US will give the cue," Duterte said.

US-PH relations are at interesting point. Thrust into the equivalent of overdue adolescence, with all the uncertainty and discomfort that brings. As the incoming Ambassador and Malacanang chart a course through the "unknown", they will invariably encounter American voices that embody the frame of mind that Duterte professes to oppose. Those who would believe that our past receipt of aid means that we are something to be "owned". Like the one below. If we are an ally to be trusted . . . to be respected . . . we not only must be able to demonstrate that we are willing to fund our own defense but that application of that defensive capability will only be in accordance the Philippine national interest of the Philippines and its obligations as a responsible member of the international community.

A former aide to former President Ronald Reagan has suggested that Washington drop the mutual defense treaty and joint patrols with the Philippines due to President Rodrigo Duterte's "ostentatious disrespect."

In an opinion piece published by the New York Times on October 18, Doug Bandow stressed that "the Philippines needs America more than America needs the Philippines."

Bandow was a special assistant to President Reagan, and senior fellow at the Cato Institute.

"America is a curious great power. It cowers before international lightweights, begging the least significant nations to let it defend them. Such as the Philippines," he said in his opinioin piece.

"United States credibility suffers when a nation long subsidized and defended by America shows such ostentatious disrespect. The Philippine president shouldn’t be treated like a co-equal and ally if he doesn’t behave like one," Bandow added. "Rather, Manila expects Washington’s protection even though the archipelago matters little for the United States."

US-PH relations are at interesting point. Thrust into the equivalent of overdue adolescence, with all the uncertainty and discomfort that brings. As the incoming Ambassador and Malacanang chart a course through the "unknown", they will invariably encounter American voices that embody the frame of mind that Duterte professes to oppose. Those who would believe that our past receipt of aid means that we are something to be "owned". Like the one below. If we are an ally to be trusted . . . to be respected . . . we not only must be able to demonstrate that we are willing to fund our own defense but that application of that defensive capability will only be in accordance the Philippine national interest of the Philippines and its obligations as a responsible member of the international community.

A former aide to former President Ronald Reagan has suggested that Washington drop the mutual defense treaty and joint patrols with the Philippines due to President Rodrigo Duterte's "ostentatious disrespect."

In an opinion piece published by the New York Times on October 18, Doug Bandow stressed that "the Philippines needs America more than America needs the Philippines."

Bandow was a special assistant to President Reagan, and senior fellow at the Cato Institute.

"America is a curious great power. It cowers before international lightweights, begging the least significant nations to let it defend them. Such as the Philippines," he said in his opinioin piece.

"United States credibility suffers when a nation long subsidized and defended by America shows such ostentatious disrespect. The Philippine president shouldn’t be treated like a co-equal and ally if he doesn’t behave like one," Bandow added. "Rather, Manila expects Washington’s protection even though the archipelago matters little for the United States."

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....he was right on a number of things, especially on the no effect to US influence in the region. The Philippines has a lot more at stake with regards to this pivot on foreign policies, west to east. Economic indicators in the long run will validate the results. As it happened before, one step forwards, two-three steps back. Bond offerings will be something to watch in the near future.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The United States welcomed renewed dialogue between the Philippines and China, and saw no reason for concern in Manila's pursuit of closer ties with Beijing, a U.S. State Department official said Monday.

"The United States welcomes relaxation in relations between Beijing and Manila," said Daniel Russel, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Russel spoke to reporters on the sidelines of a bilateral discussion he held Monday with Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay. His remarks are the first official reaction from U.S. officials following President Rodrigo Duterte's remarks on Thursday during his state visit to China that the Philippines was "separating" from its longtime ally, the United States.

Manila's moves to forge closer ties with Beijing need not come as a tradeoff in bilateral relations with Washington, Russel said, as he cited U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to Manila in July shortly after Duterte took office. "He (Kerry) made it clear that we support direct dialogue negotiations between the Philippines and China; as long as they take place on terms that are acceptable to the Philippines. As long as they are consistent with international law."

"So it's a mistake to think that improved relations between Manila and Beijing somehow come at the expense of United States. That's not the way that we think," Russel said.

"But we do want countries to be able to choose, to have choices, to have autonomy, to make their own decisions in keeping with their democratic values in keeping with international law,' he added.

The top US diplomat in East Asia denied claims that his country is pulling strings to advance its interests through the security assistance it has been extending to the Philippines.

In an interview with Filipino reporters on Monday afternoon, US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel was asked to comment on Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr.'s comment that the Philippines' "separation" from the US is a way of "opening up to other countries who are willing to help us with no strings attached."

He replied that partnership with the Philippine military, whether with paid equipment or via assistance extended, is "in support of Philippines' self-reliance."

He noted that the only string attached to transferring equipment to the Philippines is training.

"We want to ensure that the Philippine Armed Forces are able to support, to maintain, to use the equipment effectively and I'm proud of the training that the United States provides and continues to provide," he said.

He said the annual Balikatan exercises between the US and the Philippines, along with "other friends in East Asia," is a way for them to "share American know-how, expertise, and doctrine to make your soldiers better at their job," in several aspects, including disaster response.

"To suggest that there are strings attached that connect to American economic interst or to policy position on an unrelated matter is factually wrong," Russel said.

He noted that the only string attached to transferring equipment to the Philippines is training.

"We want to ensure that the Philippine Armed Forces are able to support, to maintain, to use the equipment effectively and I'm proud of the training that the United States provides and continues to provide," he said.

He said the annual Balikatan exercises between the US and the Philippines, along with "other friends in East Asia," is a way for them to "share American know-how, expertise, and doctrine to make your soldiers better at their job," in several aspects, including disaster response.

Progress. Hopefully this message get across through non-traditional / JUSMAG lines of communication. As folks in marketing say "profit always comes from out of town". Useful fresh reinforcement of the message from new voices.

Hopefully milestones and metrics for how to proceed to clearer access to the next level come next.

The United States also stands to gain from the new administration's pursuit of an independent foreign policy for the Philippines, its top diplomat in East Asia said.

In an interview with Filipino reporters on Monday afternoon, Daniel Russel, US assistant secretary of state, noted that the Philippines' independence "is a given" and respected by his country.

"This notion that the Philippines is somehow pawn or lackey of the United States... it may make a good story, but it's not supported by facts," Russel said.

"The fact is, the United States is stronger when other democracies, when our partners, are themselves strong ... We respect and admire the independence, the autonomy, and the democracy of the Philippines. You get to make your own decisions," he added.